Is it ok to have casual sex?

I've recently come out of a difficult relationship and struggled to come to terms at first with what exactly an abusive relationship is. With help & support from close friends and family i saw the light and began a life as a single mum.

Here's where the trouble begins. I've met someone via a work friend & he's really lovely. Now i know at first they all are lovely then they become comfortable and that all changes, but i've known of him for around 2 years but never had the chance to actually KNOW him IYSWIM. Problem is after many chats, cups of coffee & lunches we've become a lot closer. I always have found him attractive but never acted on it. We've been discussing what we want with regards to our love lives. I dont want a relationship yet, i dont think i should hop into being a girlfriend. I'd like some time to be on my own but still like to have someone to be intimate with but nothing attached. He would like to have a no strings relationship & understands if it does look likely to become anything more and im not ready then we would need to step back a little and just be friendly with eachother. What i'm asking is is it ok to have casual sex? We wouldnt be shouting it from the rooftops. No one else need know. But i dont want to come across as a "slag" i guess.

We did discuss in more detail last night about scenarios where it could become a problem and he was very honest with me. He said if he started having stronger feelings he'd say because he's not the type to hide it and I said if it turns out that the feelings are strong on one side but not the other are you prepared to back off? He said it'd take time to get used to and it'd be hard but yes if it meant that it didn't cause problems, arguments or distress on the other side. I think that was the main one for us. He knows I don't want a relationship yet but am happy to be in his company and he does make me smile.

I agree with what bursar said. If I were you before you do it again, if you haven't already, then discuss the ground rules : ie what happens if one of you starts getting attached, what happens about seeing other people (do you want to end up being the OW if he meets someone else?)

Once you agreed on those it can become a regular thing, and if you want it could turn into a relationship. Just make sure you don't get emotionally involved if he is clear he's never going to

Ok! . brief update because I have work this morning. I'm walking around with a smile like the Cheshire Cat. Having dinner broke the ice, the few drinks we had settled the nerves and everything else just fell into place & it was amazing. There was no "get up & go home" after round 1, or 2 as a matter of fact. We spent hours just cuddling & talking. I wake this morning with a text from him thanking me for last night, he had a great time & enjoyed my company a lot. He's also asked when my next day off is.

He's coming round in an hour. Change of plan! He's bringing dinner whilst I bring the drinks. Now I'm nervous. I could hurl. But I'm so excited too. If you don't hear from me until morning you know it went well.

Use a condom, and crack on!!Seriously, i did this with a guy at work, for about 18months. We kept it a total secret at work, i only told a couple of trustworthy friends. Nothing has happened between us for 3years now and we still see each other at work everyday, hes also now married with a baby on the way, and im with my partner. We are really good friends and there is no awkwardness between us at all, in fact i regularly forget anything was ever going on, we just feel like good friends.

So it can work you just both need to be on the same page, it only gets weird when one starts wanting more. Luckily that didnt happen with us. As for being a 'slag' bollocks to that! Nothing wrong with enjoying yourself, just make sure you are safe enjoy!

If you have recovered yourself, you can hand on heart say you trust yourself and your instincts and will follow through on those gut feelings then play it by ear.

It's not unheard of for a couple of fwb to find themselves more compatible than they thought and want to give a relationship a try. Equally it is a very bad idea to continue fwb if one develops unrequited feelings - it never ends well and decimates self esteem. So I would say 1) If you develop romantic feelings for each other but you still feel you aren't ready to be part of a couple - walk away. Trust yourself to do what you need to protect you. 2) If you develop romantic feelings that he doesn't share - walk away. Find either a different fwb or look at finding a man that you would consider as a good partner prospect so you both start with the same expectations. It's good to have contingencies but don't overthink it! Fwb is not for everyone and it's as ok to be wrong as it is to be right.

Don't panic! Enjoy tonight, revel in the laughter, excitement, nerves and anticipation of it, enjoy having sex that is just as good for you as for him. And do it again if it's great (or even if it needs a bit more practice...it makes perfect and all that )

I'd say it depends on a number of things:Can you separate your emotions from the physical act? Most women are not wired that way.What values do you have and does it fit with those?What are the consequences? positive & negative?Can you handle them?What if he falls in love?or you?And most importantly, how might this affect you in your healing journey?

I noticed your words "the trouble begins"....what's that about?What are you not aware of?

Of course it's okay. Why do you feel you have to ask for approval. It's your body and you can do what you like with it.I am a single mum but I still have casual sex. I have a friend with benefits, and it works. I am hurting no-one!. xxx